Live Tooling: Basic Concepts, Recent Developments April 24, 2020 Live tooling, as the name implies, is driven by the CNC and the turrets of various spindle and powered sub-spindle configurations on CNC lathes.
How Indexable Tools Keep Their Edge April 22, 2020 Sales figures don’t lie: indexable cutting tools—featuring removable cutting tips called inserts—are a smash hit with machine shops.
New Universal Robots Interface for Injection Molding Applications April 23, 2020 The Injection Molding Machine Interface (IMMI) is made for plastics manufacturers to integrate Universal Robots with injection molding machines.
No Plan B – COVID-19 Exposes Technical Education’s Shortcomings April 22, 2020 With widespread stay-at-home orders, and to contain the spread of COVID-19, many manufacturers, unless deemed essential, have closed shop and sent workers home. The resulting loss in productivity has forced companies and teachers to utilize the time to provide or continue with remote e-learning.
Modular Quick-Change Systems Not Created Equal April 17, 2020 While the initial investment for a modular quick-change tooling system is higher than that of traditional toolholders, significantly improving the connection between spindles and tooling is well worth it.
February 2020 U.S. Cutting Tool Orders Down 4.2% from January April 16, 2020 February 2020 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $188.2 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
Rough Boring vs. Finish Boring April 16, 2020 There’s more than one way to finish a hole. The most effective option will depend on the number of parts, cycle time and tolerances. One of the most effective options is boring.
How to Choose the Best Toolholding System for Your Shop April 16, 2020 Many job shops hold onto traditional, inexpensive tooling systems. ER collets and Weldon flats are tried and true; they work and are proven. At the same time, newer, advanced machining technology, such as multi-axis machines, may perform better when newer, advanced (and more expensive) toolholders are deployed.
Shops Use Shrink-Fit with Presetters for Toolholding Efficiency April 15, 2020 Unlike its name, the use of shrink-fit tooling is expanding. A shrink-fit toolholder starts with a slightly undersize bore that is heated to enlarge the inner diameter enough to accept a cutting tool and then grip the cutter as it cools and contracts.
Replaceable-Tip Tools Get Permanent Spot in Shop Inventories April 13, 2020 When weighing the choice of replaceable-tip mills and drills or solid-carbide tools, consider this succinct statement from one industry expert: carbide equals cost.
